Centro works in partnership with bus operators, local authorities and other organisations to improve the quality of bus services in the West Midlands.
Buses provide 92% of public transport journeys in the West Midlands and account for nearly one million journeys a day. There are a number of operators, the largest being National Express West Midlands, which accounts for 77% of all journeys made. The Rotala and Arriva groups have also extended their interest in the region through the acquisition of smaller bus companies.
Centro subsidises 9.5% of bus services – paying operators more than £8m to run services which are not considered commercially viable, but are socially necessary. We also fund free travel for eligible older and disabled people - and half price travel for under 16's.
Vision for Movement
A compelling vision to transform the way people come into and move around Birmingham city centre was launched in November 2010 by business, council and transport chiefs.
The Vision for Movement documents a comprehensive network of rapid transit, bus, rail, cycling and walking routes which will aid Birmingham's economic regeneration and help cement its future as a vibrant, global city.
Creating a well connected, efficient and walkable city, finding transport solutions that are realistic and deliverable in the short to medium term and that also allow for the longer-term schemes planned in the city are outlined in the document.
The Vision is the result of a newly formed partnership between the city's business community, by way of its Business Improvement Districts (BID's), Birmingham City Council, transport authority Centro and National Express West Midlands.
Centro cannot legally operate any of the socially necessary services, so when a need is identified competitive tenders are invited from bus operators who are registered on our approved tender list.
If you are a bus operator interested in bidding for a tender please download the Bus Tender Form
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| Information on the Outcome of Tenders April 2011 |  | |
| Information on the Outcome of Tenders April 2012 | | |
| Information on the Outcome of Tenders October 2012 | | |
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